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A very good friend of mine was reading Dear Abby and thought of ME (and My Special Child) when she read this.

Heaven's Special Child

A meeting was held quite far from EarthIt was time again for another birthSaid the angels to the Lord above:"This special child will need much loveHis progress may be very slowAccomplishment he may not showAnd he'll require extra careFrom the folks he meets down thereHe may not run or laugh or playHis thoughts may seem quite far awaySo many times he will be labeled"different, helpless and disabled"So, let's be careful where he's sentWe want his life to be contentPlease, Lord, find the parents whoWill do a special job for YouThey will not realize right awayThe leading role they are asked to playBut with this child sent from aboveComes stronger faith, and richer loveAnd soon they'll know the privilege givenIn caring for their gift from heavenTheir precious charge, so meek and mildIs heaven's very special child.

the RaMbLeR: As if we hadn't already had so many road blocks. But we were determined to make sure the kids were gonna go home thinking of how fun it was in Oklahoma! Instead the stupid water park (the REAL one, not just my little makeshift backyard water park) was closed. (see this to find out why) Luckily, I searched my brain and after a couple of phone calls (my first friend call advised her pool was not open either) we were able to take the very disappointed kids (except Roo, who was back at school and BA, that had been at band camp all week) to my friends neighborhood pool. What did you think of that? Mel: That was awesome. And as far as my kids were concerned, we went to a pool and swam. That's what they wanted. Your friends were so nice to let us crash their neighborhood pool, and very nice in person, too! It was a really beautiful setting. I was sure that before we left Aria would head down to the little stream in back and try to catch wildlife. I laughed at the thought that perhaps for the second time that week we were about to load up the kids, promise them pool time, then turn around and go home!! It was probably easier to drag them from this pool than if we HAD hit the waterpark. the RaMbLeR: I'm so glad they were satisfied with this pool since that was the best we could do at the time. As it was I know SM was NOT happy and did not want to leave when Hubs came to pick him up for football practice. He was having too much fun playing in the water.

If I recall right, we didn't do much else that evening except my Hubby was starting his plague decline about that time so he offered up the big screen and we tried to relax while the kids watched a movie. What movie was that again? Mel: Harry Potter & The Order of the Phoenix! Of course you and I were sitting side by side on our lap tops discussing the finer points of the iPhone vs. BlackBerry, so I don't remember much of the movie. But at least no one was puking! Oh yeah! That's right! I hadn't had my iPhone for very long and you had literally just gotten your Blackberry RIGHT before you left. It was the next morning that was so fun!

I loved watching the kids play in the rain! By the way, I was pretty sure that North Dakota had some pretty bad rains not too far back?? This was a better day, and most memorable because after that quick downpour we let the kids run around in all the water on the street. I've never seen so much water disappear so fast. In ND that water would sit for days and breed mosquitoes. OR fill my basement...this year was exceptionally bad for that. Why do you ask?

the RaMbLeR: Because the excitement on the kids faces was as if they had never seen rain before.... I loved watching them play "Follow the Leader"...even if it WAS in the middle of the road! And to see JC's reaction when I put his sweet little hands in the rain dripping from the roof of my house.

Mel: That was pretty darn cute! I think the shock the kids experienced was that it was still so warm, even soaking wet. It cools off so fast here!!! They all loved being allowed to march through the puddles all they wanted. I was doing laundry anyway! I hated to pack up!!!

And they were all red-faced and panting, SM probably wondered what the heck their problem was?!

the RaMbLeR: LOL....I'm not sure he realized they were so hot. He loses track of time (not sure where he gets THAT from...it has to be his father!) so he probably just thought they were getting drinks. haha I know I sure hated to see you leave! It seemed like you had just gotten here and I still had so much I wanted to show you. I wanted to show you the river walk in our downtown area and we missed the zoo and I would've loved to take you over by the lake...it's beautiful there! So, I think we have plenty of things to DO for your next trip to come see me again! But can you be sure you leave the palgue back home or wherever...as long as you don't bring it here again? Mel: I will promise try hard not to get anyone sick again. All told, when our trip was over (I went to WI next) 12 people ended up getting sick. I'm pretty sure the CDC is well aware of my movements now. I still had fun. It was awesome to talk to you without typing or video delay!!! I really wish we lived a little closer. My hubby thinks I'm cracked for travelling alone w/ 4 kids for that distance! Maybe that's why we get along so well....we're both a little crazy, hee hee!

the RaMbLeR: I'm not sure I know what you are talking about - crazy - I didn't drag 4 kids clear from one end of the US almost to the opposite end! CRAZY LADY! But, I am SO glad that YOU are crazy! It was awesome to meet you IRL! It would be wonderful to have you as my neighbor....that friend that could come in my open door and it would be no big deal, just to chat with a cup of coffee in hand. I could see that happening....IF you lived closer! Oh, and I appreciate that your hubby was willing to give you up for all that time so you could come meet me. I guess maybe we ARE both crazy! A lot of people were amazed that I would let an EBFF some stay inside my house for almost a week (cause you could've been some crazy psycho lady). Haha!! I said I already knew you were! Mel: Hey, I think we got to know each other better than if we'd spent all that time sight seeing! Nothing says TMI like admitting I just peed my pants throwing up in your toilet and changing in the same room together. Really, who does that? Us, I guess !! I truly had a good time despite the plague. I was sad to go and sorta wished I could postpone the rest of my trip to stay longer, now that we were healthy!! My friends said some of the same things... you're driving "where" to meet "who"?? Are you sure about this? the RaMbLeR: ROFL...PMP...Oh, no that was YOU! I was SO glad we clicked IRL just as well as we did online. That could've been a disaster if it had been otherwise. And, despite our illnesses, I also enjoyed your company and honestly can't waite until the next time. Thank you for trusting and making that trip! Mel: Thanks for taking us! I'm really glad we did it!

the RaMbLeR: I'm not sure I know what you are talking about - crazy - I didn't drag 4 kids clear from one end of the US almost to the opposite end! CRAZY LADY! But, I am SO glad that YOU are crazy! It was awesome to meet you IRL! It would be wonderful to have you as my neighbor....that friend that could come in my open door and it would be no big deal, just to chat with a cup of coffee in hand. I could see that happening....IF you lived closer! Oh, and I appreciate that your hubby was willing to give you up for all that time so you could come meet me. I guess maybe we ARE both crazy! A lot of people were amazed that I would let an EBFF some stay inside my house for almost a week (cause you could've been some crazy psycho lady). Haha!! I said I already knew you were! Mel: Hey, I think we got to know each other better than if we'd spent all that time sight seeing! Nothing says TMI like admitting I just peed my pants throwing up in your toilet and changing in the same room together. Really, who does that? Us, I guess !! I truly had a good time despite the plague. I was sad to go and sorta wished I could postpone the rest of my trip to stay longer, now that we were healthy!! My friends said some of the same things... you're driving where to meet who??? Are you sure about this?the RaMbLeR: ROFL...PMP...Oh, no that was YOU! I was SO glad we clicked IRL just as well as we did online. That could've been a disaster if it had been otherwise. And, despite our illnesses, I also enjoyed your company and honestly can't wait until the next time. Thank you for trusting and making that trip! Mel: Thanks for taking us! I'm really glad we did it!

the RaMbLeR: So, tell me Mary (as in Typhoid Mary) I mean Mel, how was your drive from North Dakota all the way to Oklahoma? Mel: Hmm, lets see, it started out great. I figured we had the whole day to get down there, so I really tried to make it fun for the kids (all 4 of them) the RaMbLeR: Did you drive straight thru or did you have any detours? Mel: We stopped often (I think I said I wish I hadn't potty trained the 3-yr-old), but really my intention was to drive straight there, not overnight stop. I didn't realize we wouldn't get there until 2am. It was really great until the last 2-3 hours. the RaMbLeR: Until the end? Even with the long drive all of that was ok? Mel: Well, it was about the last few hours when the FIRST two kids started puking. I was on the turnpike so there was nowhere to pull over. I yelled from the driver's seat "Grab your McDonald's bag!!! Puke in that!!" I kept calling to update, and when I could I stopped to clean and change the 2 pukers. Good times, good times.
(Oh, I also convinced all of them it was the McDonald's so we wouldn't have to eat there all the way back. It worked) the RaMbLeR: Are you sure it was your convincing or just that they decided it wasn't quite as good a second time and didn't want to chance a third....or forth?
Also, I seem to recall someone needing me to send them directions along the way cause they thought they could 'wing it'? Mel: GAH! Oh yeah, I didn't trust the Google maps directions, so I kept calling for better ones. I ended up pretty much using the route it sent me in the first place! the RaMbLeR: Well, once you FINALLY pulled into my driveway (or actually spotted me as you came around the curve), what was your first thought? Mel: I thought you looked just as cute as your picture, even at 2 am. And for some reason I thought you'd be waaay taller than me (like everyone else), but we're not far from the same size. How about you...? the RaMbLeR: HeHe...Honestly (since I couldn't really SEE you - except your little hand frantically waving back and forth), I thought "Thank you Lord for getting my poor crazy friend here in one piece!" and wondered what I could possibly do to help get you settled.
Then as you stepped out of the van I thought you were just as cute as a button! (whatever that means...but I always took it as a great thing...either way, you were so cute crawling out trying to gather up whatever you could)

I think BA surprised Mel by coming out to also help her ‘get settled’. He offered to carry in her bags after he met her. This (luckily for him) was one of the few times he saw them as he was gone at band camp most of the time.

Mel: Were you afraid to take my vomiting kids in?? the RaMbLeR: Nah, not at all! I'm used to dealing with lots of vomiting/spit up/drool from Roo. At that time I had NO clue you were bringing the plague into my home! You also had ME convinced that it just HAD to be the McDonald's food. ;) Mel: At the time, since it was just the two, I really hoped thought it was!! I really thought about turning around back about 2 hours, but I'd made it this far...! the RaMbLeR: Really? You really thought you could drive back another .... how many hours did it take?? 12, 13, 16? LOL
Even with the plague, I couldn't let you! Mel: Well, I appreciate you being brave enough to take us in, especially considering what the rest of the week was like. SO, what exciting things do did you have planned for us?! I'm sure as soon as these two are feeling better we can get to the fun!! the RaMbLeR: Oh, I had researched and bugged other friends trying to find some fun interesting things to take the kids to. I had to ask others since typically we don't go anywhere.
I figured we could take the kids to a local water park that only costs $6 $7 or less to get in. And, another fun adventure to a museum that has dinosaurs, but..... Mel: Oh, #1 and #2 are feeling better, but now #3 is sick. AND your school called to tell us your son #1 is sick... sigh. Maybe tomorrow will be the right day??the RaMbLeR: Sure....or so we thought!! Luckily we hadn't already made the 45 minute drive all the way to the museum! So, we turn around, I park YOUR van (that I had to drive because YOU were too ill to handle the driving) and after helping UNLOAD all the very confused children (that had advised me that we were going the wrong way as we pulled into the neighborhood) I hopped into my vehicle to race off to the school for the baby.
What were YOU thinking/feeling at that time?
Or were you too busy puking while I was gone?

Mel: I felt pretty bad that Roo was sick, especially since there was probably minimal interaction between my sick kids and him. Poor guy. Made me fear that there was more on the way. But I think he handled it the best of everyone. And I didn't get sick until evening. AFTER I ate tons of quesadillas. Which were, by the way, GREAT...the first time. I think I admitted I was sad/glad I was with you sick instead of at home sick with 4 kids who would want to be fed when I couldn't stand the sight of food. My husband is gone nights and I don't think I'd have survived. SO I guess I owe you for that!!! So while I was going to bed early, how was the rest of your evening?? the RaMbLeR: Ah, one of those double edged swords, eh? The guilt along with the gratitude? I knew you were miserable and more than happy to 'get to know' your family (even in your absence). I just wanted you to be able to puke in peace! LOL
My evening went reasonably well. As you mentioned I think Roo handled the plague the best. Well, at least at home. I forgot to mention when I picked him up from school his teachers were trying to sanitize the carpet AGAIN from all his puking. I'm guessing he probably didn't have much left by the time I brought him home.
So I had fun playing with the kids and hauling 'The Siren' around. Although The Siren was off while you were not in sight. hehe
but I was pleasantly surprised and I was not up....with HIM...instead I was up ALL night with my #2.
Did he wake any of you while he was so loudly hurling? I remember I kept telling him "shhhh, you are gonna wake everyone". It was a little inconvenient that the bathroom he uses was right outside the door to your 'hotel'. Mel: Ha ha, I think I remember hearing him, but I was too busy concentrating on not joining him to mind much. My kids sleep like rocks, so no one woke up. Except JC, who decided 6 am was plenty late. I think by late that morning everyone was feeling a little better. I enjoyed the makeshift water park. My kids thought it was fun. Maybe not ACTUAL waterpark fun, but even the little kids got to play safely.
How were YOU feeling? the RaMbLeR: Oh yes, 6:00, The Siren, like clockwork! Dang he's the most adorable little siren! His cute smile just makes your heart melt and makes the siren sounds almost forgettable. Actually, other than when I was actually still half sleeping, it just made me giggle!
I think by that time you were really starting to kick back into gear, weren't you? And Taz seemed to be his normal rowdy self. So, yeah, I'm glad the makeshift waterpark, courtesy of a tarp I had, a water sprinkler, my neighbors hose spraying down my Little Tykes slide and of course water balloons, entertained everyone.
Oh, and as for me........well, I suppose it was time for me to have MY turn on your LONG list of infectees. Mel: Long and Distinguishedthe RaMbLeR: I am a little fuzzy on the goings on at this point. I'm not even sure what everyone had for supper, I just remember there was NO WAY I was eating ANYTHING. So, instead I crashed! It was your turn to get to play with the kids without me.
Thank you so much for taking over for me! Even though my Hubby's at home, it takes both of us to keep the house running smooth (or at least the way we are used to).
So, tell me, what did YOU do while I was snoozing?

Mel: Well, your hubby cooked some great BBQ! I felt bad you didn't have any. We managed to feed everyone and settle the babies. I cleaned up the kitchen while our big kids played. I think SM and Aria managed to stay up until almost midnight. I was just happy they got along. I remember when we were on our way SM thought he'd only get to play with Max, since girls do girly things. Aria was eager to show him she was "one of the boys". They bonded over computer and video games. My kids still talk about what SM had or what SM said. I think the NEXT day was probably one of the better ones... minus the water park incident ;)

Aria needed a new suit so I snapped a shot of swimsuit choices for Mel (while she stayed with the kids)!

Well…is this visit better from here on out…or not?? Please come back tomorrow for part two, where there may or may not be less bodily fluid involved…hahahaha!

I guess we all have a rough day from time to time!?! I think my Monday came way TOO EARLY today! My goofy dog has decided the last few mornings that she needs to go outside, way before anyone in the house is ready to get up! She doesn’t bark. She just stands up on MY side of the bed, panting in my face! Kinda scary to wake up with something just staring and panting at you! I warn Hubby all the time that he just MIGHT get hurt if he does that to me – again!

When I finally decide I better drag my butt out of bed so V doesn’t pee on my floor, I come in to a grumpy 17 year old. He is NOT happy that HE has to get up so early for band before first hour. He can’t find a paper he needs for a class and then can’t find his phone and is frantically tossing things in his search. I help by calling his phone that is lost in the tornado in his room! So, out the door in a rush he goes! Love you too honey!

On with work for me….or so I thought! I had a few days off at the end of last week (hence probably the reason for MY grumpiness about having to go back to work on this Monday) and now I am having trouble with some of my tools I need to do my job! Grrrr…..

Now that Hubby is “in between jobs” (he’s a trim carpenter-so waiting on a house to get ready) he was sweet enough to take Roo to school for me. Unfortunately, my stupid vehicle would not start! Can you freakin believe it? So, we jump my car and off he goes with jumper cables in tow. On the bright side it didn’t die on ME leaving me stranded somewhere other than home! Another bright note – Hubby said it was only the battery and he has it fixed – the sucky side of this is it was $111.56! FOR A BATTERY! Argh!

And….now – I am waiting for my work computer to ‘reboot’ and hoping this fixes it’s glitches!

Summer has been crazy busy! We’ve been having family fun…taking a few small trips on the road and I’ve met some new friends and had a couple of GNO’s (or luncheons). It’s been a blast but we’ve been so busy I forget which way is up sometimes.

Summer time for us is a time of relaxed rules. The boys stay up later and sleep in. This makes me stay up later and start work later (although I don’t usually get to sleep in any later since I have to work).

As much as I LOVE summer and the fun, it is so nice to start back into a routine. The boys are back to school so it’s back to a bed time routine and up early to get everyone out the door.

Hopefully now I can get back into my routine of writing/posting!

That’s it for today, my friends! I have to go post over on Roo’s blog. Have a great weekend! (what’s left of it)

If you’ve been here before you probably know that I also play on Twitter?? They have ‘hashtags’ (a word prefixed with #) to know ‘what’s happening on Twitter’. Hence the funny title to my post!

Let me explain!

As you can see from my previous post, I am a stalker of anything Signing Time (Rachel Coleman). Don’t worry, she knows and I’ve assured her it’s not in a scary, I could harm you kind of way. ;-)

Anyway, on Twitter I had used Rachel as my #lameclaimtofame. Not meaning any offense, of course. I simply meant that I was claiming to be famous only because I had met her, not that she was lame, cause she’s is SO NOT LAME!

But NOW I can claim to BE famous all on my own.

That’s right! ‘I’ am famous!

Never mind that my only television interview happens to be regarding POOP! I suppose it’s appropriate that I would be talking about poop since I deal with it every single day (providing Roo has his lactulose).

Should I explain?

Ok, I will, although you will probably ‘get it’ just by watching the video below.

Well, my friend Mel had come to visit (that’s another post after she gets back home), and we had tried to take our heard of kids to our local water park, but it was closed. So, we found other accommodations for our water play.

Later in the week I took Taz and met a friend (and two of her children) back over at the park. It was opened again after being closed a few days and they had a news crew out there doing a report about the closing.

The reporter asked me how I felt about poop in the pool. Now what kind of question is THAT? Of course I think it’s disgusting but as a mother of a two year old (and one with disabilities so no chance of potty training in the near future) I ‘know’ accidents will happen in the pool. Honestly, I just ‘try’ my best NOT to think about that and hope they can shock the CRAP (pun intended) out of the pool. And, shouldn’t the swim diapers hold the poop in the kids britches?

So, on with my television debut on FOX25 news……………(and if you follow me, you can now use ME as your #lameclaimtofame!)